99% Invisible

For 99PI’s 15th anniversary, Roman sits in the hot seat to answer 15 eclectic questions, touching on everything from his dream merch to the one object he's always wanted to cover on the show.

Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at how the show gets made.

The 99PI Anniversary Special: 15 for 15

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A billionaire family’s private bridge empire shaped Detroit for decades, sparking battles over power, neighborhoods, and the future of an international crossing.

Ambassador Bridge

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Vintage music barely had any bass. Today’s hits are all about the low end. What changed? An episode this week from our friends at Twenty Thousand Hertz, featuring hip hop legend DJ Jazzy Jeff and Roland's Paul McCabe.

All About That Bass

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Aimee Semple McPherson built America’s first megachurch, blended showbiz with salvation, and vanished in a scandal that captivated the nation.

Sister Aimee and the Birth of the Megachurch

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Libraries get rid of books all the time. There are so many new books coming in every day and only a finite amount of library space. The practice of freeing up library space is called weeding. When the main branch of the San Francisco Public Library was damaged by an earthquake 1989, the argument over which books need to be weeded, and how they were chosen for removal, reached fever pitch.

This episode originally aired on May 14, 2019.

Weeding is Fundamental

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Old ideas about air and disease were wrong on the science, but looking to the past might actually help us design healthier buildings today.

Air-Borne

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This is the first official episode of our ongoing series breaking down the U.S. Constitution.

This month, Roman and Elizabeth discuss the Preamble, alongside Nikole Hannah-Jones. 

Elizabeth also explains that while the United States generally does not allow a standing army to be used against civilians, Trump has been exploiting an exception to keep troops in Los Angeles to protect ICE agents — with terrifying implications.

Constitution Breakdown #1: Nikole Hannah-Jones

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How a radio show born at a small college station in DC and dedicated to smooth, romantic love songs transformed black radio and reshaped love lives across the country.

The Quiet Storm

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A rock icon sets out to save music with a strange yellow gadget that almost no one understood.

Neil Young’s iPod Killer

If you're new to the show (thanks Apple Podcasts!) here are some favorite episodes to get you started:

• Freedom House Ambulance Service
• One-Nil to the Arsenal
• Guerrilla Public Service Redux
• Towers of Silence
• The House that Came in the Mail
• The Real Book

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In this bonus episode, an offbeat walking tour through San Francisco uncovers hidden rooftop parks, a leaning skyscraper scandal, a vanished statue, and the graceful brilliance of the Golden Gate Bridge.

This episode is sponsored by GetYourGuide. Discover and book experiences for your next trip at getyourguide.com.

Roman Mars's Guide to San Francisco

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